Online Newsletter

Excerpted from our print newsletter. See the printed newsletter for detailed
Field Trip directions and reports, for phone and addresses for yard visits and
additional articles. Join now to obtain
the benefits of full membership!

At one time, a finger glade filled
with freshwater vegetation carried water from the Everglades to Biscayne Bay, less than a mile apart. Since the 1950s, when flood control canals were
constructed, the slough has been disconnected from its historic fresh water
source. But a multi-agency rehydration project will soon reconnect the slough
to provide environmental benefits. Craig Grossenbacher will give an
overview of the project, including its status from the perspective of the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Jennifer Possley will
describe the program created in 2003 to monitor the vegetation response and
present baseline data with emphasis on ferns. See www.deeringestate.com/park/otherprojects.htmlfor an introduction and photos. Then come on the December 16 field trip!

Craig has been with DERM 20 years
and oversees the environmental planning section. He was involved with the
rehydration project even before it became a component of CERP. Jennifer is a
Field Biologist for the Center for Tropical Plant Conservation at Fairchild,
where she monitors rare plants. She came to Florida from Michigan to remove
melaleuca in Big Cypress, studied at UF’s Center for Aquatic and Invasive
Plants.

Refreshments
available at 7:15. Merchandise sales (think holiday gifts!) before and
after the program (cash/checks only).

UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS (DADE)

Field trips are for the study of plants and enjoyment of nature by
FNPS members (Dade and Keys) and their invited guests. Children are welcome.
Details are contained in the printed newsletter mailed each month to members.
Collecting is not permitted. Please join
today so that you can enjoy all the benefits of membership!

Saturday, Nov. 24: Nixon
Smiley pineland and Tamiami Addition (South Dade). We will walk through some of this 120-acre pine rockland and then go to the 28-acre Addition to the east, with wetland and pine rockland. There are numerous rare and interesting species in this park, as well as
wildflowers, birds and butterflies to spot. Thanks to Tiffany Smith of
the County’s EEL program for co-leading our trip.

Time and location: For details please see the
printed newsletter

Difficulty: Moderate. Unpaved paths, some through brush.

Bring/wear: Drinks, sun protection, long pants, closed shoes.

Sunday, December 16: The Deering Estate at Cutler rehydration
area and ferns. Don’t miss this interesting follow-up to November’s
program. We will walk 1/2 mile
through the hammock to the stone bridge crossing Cutler Creek. Along the trail
we will see the FL-Endangered fern Asplenium dentatum (toothed
spleenwort). We will see more fern species and aquatic vegetation at the
bridge, explore the east end of the creek, discuss the rehydration project and
see some of the area to be rehydrated. Optional add-on: drive closer to where
the spreader will be and explore the area of the Chinese bridge.

Meeting location and Time: For details please see the printed
newsletter

February 23 field trip to Elliott Key: Details will
be in the January Tillandsia, but you may pre-register now. Cost is $27
adult, $19 children. Call Patty Phares (305-255-6404).

Learn to ID plants: If you would
like help, please let it be known – we’ll introduce you to
good people to stick close to. A plant list may be obtained
for this site by visiting The Institute for Regional Conservation website at www.regionalconservation.org,
and registering and then logging onto the Floristic Inventory of South Florida
online database.

Native Plant Raffle. Many of our plants come
from the nursery at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State
Park. If you’d like to see a specific plant in the raffle, contact Jackie, KLHNursery@aol.com. If you have
native plants to share, please bring them for the raffle.

Meeting: Tuesday, Nov.
13, Islamorada Library, MM 81.5

"Algae: The Water, the Reefs, the Urchins" -- Martin Moe. To most folks, plants stop at the water line. But in the Keys our underwater
native plants, mostly algae and submerged grass beds, are just as important as
what grows on land. They are the foundation of our marine ecosystems. However, blooms
of algae can be devastating to shallow water ecology and near shore reefs, and algae
growth on the reefs is a major cause for the decline of our coral reefs. Martin
will also discuss a project to return the keystone herbivore, the Diadema sea
urchin, to our reefs. Martin is a retired marine and fishery biologist who is
spending a few of his "golden years" working on ecological coral reef
restoration. Don’t miss this dynamic speaker!

Meeting: Tuesday, December 18, Marathon Garden Club.Address: 5270 Overseas Highway. MM 50.4, bayside (when
traveling south, just beyond Publix on the left and Crane Point Hammock on the
right).

"Native Plant Propagation" – Jackie DeGayner In 1995 a native plant nursery was created at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. Nearly all the 3200 plants (120
species) are propagated from plants in the park. Jackie has been a loyal volunteer
for the last 5 years, with 15 other regular volunteers assisting. She will
explain how the plants are grown, most often from seeds, giving excellent
pointers on techniques to improve your success in growing native plants. Thanks
to the skills of the folks at the nursery, our plant raffles have helped many
members acquire a variety of natives for their yards.

Field trip: Saturday, December 22, 10 a.m., Boot Key.

Explore this forgotten island, low and mostly wetland, off Marathon. It is a favorite hangout for migrating raptors as the dead trees provide great
perches. The blackbead are growing so lush they are engulfing the road that
goes through the island.

Directions: Go to the south end of Marathon across
the street from the Coast Guard station. Coming from the north: turn
towards the ocean past Marathon Boat Yard. Coming from the south: look
for the Bait and Tackle shop on the ocean side and turn down Boot Key Road. Meet on the right just over the bridge. Trip leaders will be Joy Tatgenhorst and Lisa Gordon.

Chapter workday at Everglades National Park:December 8, 9 a.m. - noon. Help spruce up and enjoy the company and surroundings while the weather
is at its best. October’s workday was terrific, but there is still plenty to do
before tourist season. Drinks, gloves and hand tools are provided, but you may
want to bring your own and also snacks to share and a water bottle. Bring
sun protection. Your car gets into the park free afterward. New helpers, kids,
friends are welcome! If you are not on the email reminder list but might be
interested, or for carpooling, contact Patty Phares (305-255-6404, pphares@mindspring.com ).

Native Plant Day is March 15, 2008, at Elaine Gordon Enchanted Forest Park (and Arch Creek Park) in North Miami. Save the date to volunteer and enjoy! If you would like to help in the planning or have suggestions, please contact
Amy Leonard (305-458-0969, aleonar74@yahoo.com) as soon as possible. Being in a different part of the
county will be a new experience, and your input on activities, programs,
speakers, publicity and food vendors will be appreciated.

Assistance needed with DCFNPS
web site. Can you be a helper or a
co-webmaster with Greg Ballinger? Please contact chapter president Amy Leonard (305-458-0969, aleonar74@yahoo.com).

Many thanks and best wishes to
our Tillandsia co-editor of several years, Karen Griffin, who has moved away! Are you a possible replacement,
especially with layout expertise? Contact Patty Phares (305-255-6404, pphares@mindspring.com ).

The FNPS bimonthly newsletter, Sabal minor, is now being delivered by email, in a beautiful full-color html format (also downloadable PDF from the website). Paper delivery is made to members without email and to who request paper delivery. Help conserve funds and trees by giving the e-newsletter a try -- it really is lovely and convenient. To "opt in" for paper, contact FNPS Administrative Services: info@fnps.org / 321-271-6702 / FNPS, PO Box 278, Melbourne FL 32902

Nature Walks, Great
Food, Good Times!
Playgrounds and swimming pool will be open.
Musical instruments are encouraged.
Bring binoculars for birding and butterflying.No glass beverage containers or pets, please.

Pleeeease R.S.V.P. by
November 26 to one of the following with the number in your party
and your potluck contribution (be sure to leave your phone number!)Main Dish: Patty Harris, 305-262-3763 pharris@kennynachwalter.comSide, Salad, Dessert: Patty Phares, 305-255-6404 pphares@mindspring.comNon-Chef Item: Laura Reynolds, 305-348-6136

Applications for FNPS Endowment Grand Awards are due
by March 7, 2008. These grants are for $2500 or less and are intended to
support research that forwards the mission of the Florida Native Plant Society: "To promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native
plants and native plant communities of Florida." Application instructions
are at www.fnps.org. Follow the links
Programs/Awards & Grants/Endowment Fund Grants. For additional information,
contact paul.a.schmalzer@nasa.gov.

New merchandise at DCFNPS meetings: We hope to have
Atlas 370 Garden Gloves in for the November meeting in Dade. They come in S-M-L
and are highly recommended by the ladies of ENP workdays (Google to see the
gloves for yourself). These and the vast array of books and other items make
wonderful gifts.

"Preserving Florida’s Past: The Wilderness" - Wildlife
photography exhibit reception and opening, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., at the Deering Estate. Part 1 is on display through Jan. 14, 2008. South Florida photographer and conservationist, Brian Call, will be an Artist in Residence in
2007-2008. Proceeds of the art sales benefit the Deering Estate and The South
Florida National Parks Trust. (See www.deeringestate.org). FNPS MEMBERS - if you are going to the reception, will
you to set up a small table with FNPS information? If so contact Amy
Leonard (305-458-0969, aleonar74@yahoo.com ).

Miami-Dade
College Environmental Center.Free
Second Saturday open houses: Bring a
picnic and the kids, feed the fish, enjoy plant and bird tours. Check the web
site for courses and activities for kids and adults. www.mdc.edu/kendall/ce - Environmental Center, 305-237-2605.

Gifford Arboretum Annual Picnic,
December 1, 11:30-3:30. Program
(TBA), plant and book auction, tour, desserts and beverages. Plants, t-shirts
and other items for sale. Free and open to the public. For more information:
Carol Horvitz, 305- 284-5364, or www.bio.miami.edu/arboretum .

Climate Activism Training, November 29, 5-9 p.m. Miami-Dade
College, Wolfson Campus, Building 2000 - Room 2106 300 NE 2nd Ave Downtown, Miami. Hosted by numerous local organizations. Speaker: Bill McKibben, author of End
of Nature and Fight Global Warming Now. He also launched the Step It
Up demonstration in 2006. Trainings: Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Also speaking: Harvey Ruvin, Chair of the
Climate Change Advisory Task Force, and Captain Dan Kipnis, Florida
Wildlife Federation. Who’s invited: All concerned citizens who want to
make a difference in the fight in South Florida and in their community to stop
global warming. Please RSVP with your contact information by Nov. 21 to
Melisa Stodieck at floridastopglobalwarming@gmail.com (space is limited).

Ficus whitefly workshop, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.,
Miami-Dade UF Extension, Homestead. This new pest is seriously injuring ficus
species, most commonly the exotic F. benjamina but has been found on native
strangler figs. For more info about whiteflies or the workshop call 305-248-3311x
225.

Pineland
Working Group: Pine Rockland Conference, Feb. 27-March 2, 2008. Two days of local trips and programs
(free), then travel to Andros Island (not free). You do not have to be an
environmental professional to participate in the PWG. Information will be at http://fl.water.usgs.gov/Miami/pineland/.

FIELD TRIP REPORT FOR PLATT ISLAND, BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE

On September 30, 2007, Steve Woodmanee led the Dade Chapter
FNPS along a raised roadway and down buggy trails through pine flatwoods, mesic
hammock, cypress swamp and marsh habitats in the Platt Island section of the
Big Cypress National Preserve. See the printed newsletter for a detailed report.

FIELD TRIP TO BILL BAGGS CAPE FLORIDA STATE PARK

by Martin Roessler

On October 20, 2007 Elizabeth Golden, biologist with the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, led the Dade Chapter FNPS on a tour of the dunes,
coastal strand, coastal hammock and mangrove habitats. See the printed newsletter for a detailed report.

The Dade Chapter Florida Native Plant Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
dedicated to the understanding and preservation of Florida's native flora
and natural areas, and promoting native plants in landscapes.

The chapter includes residents of Miami-Dade County and the Keys.
Meetings
in Miami-Dade County are on the 4th Tuesday of most months at Fairchild
Tropical Botanic Garden and are free and open to the public. Once a year,
instead of the usual meeting, members and their guests are invited to an
evening garden tour and social at a member's home.
Meetings in
the Keys are held on 3rd Tuesdays in November through April at varying locations
from Key Largo to Key West.
The basic FNPS membership (state and chapter) for new members is $25 for the first year and $30 after that. Please contact DCFNPS or click on the membership link
at this site for a membership application.

Please send articles, announcements of local activities and news
of interest to the Dade Chapter PO Box or email to the editor (above) by
the 15th of each month to be considered for publication the following
month.